Kayaking with Dogs
Paddling With a Camera is a blog I just discovered thanks to ProBloggers recent Group Writing Project.
I was zipping around in Marek Uliasz’s site, initially psyched at having found a blog devoted to two of my favorite out-of-office activities. That would be, clearly, paddling my kayak and photography. Then I found the part about kayaking with dogs.
Marek has links to some other writer’s experiences and suggestions on how to safely and enjoyably take your pooch along when you are on water. I wish I’d found these earlier.
I’ve almost abandoned the idea of doing that ever again. My dog, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, is bred for swimming rescues at sea, so it would sound like a great fit. He is a great swimmer, and can keep going for hours! When he sees or smells water, commands like “wait” and “stay” fly right out the window. Forget about “leave it,” so strong is his pull to H2O in any form or amount.
I have actually taken him kayaking solo a couple of times and with a friend on one occasion, with mixed results. I should have realized that just being a great water dog doesn’t mean that kayaking with him would be a serene activity.
I had assumed that in strapping on a dog PFD and keeping him on his leash until we left shore that we’d be all set. I also (mistakenly) believed he would dog paddle right along next to me. He doesn’t try to jump into my arms when we’re hiking. So, why did he keep trying to jump into the boat??
It’s very difficult to get a dog to take a break on shore or boulders in the water when he just naturally wants to keep going and going and going… and, as I discovered with dismay, I could not navigate to the spot where he chose to relieve himself, even though I had thought to bring poop bags.
Then there was the occasion when he realized that if he DID go ashore and just run at top speed, he could catch up to me that way (since I wasn’t letting him catch up to me in the water due to capsizing aversion). There was Chester flying along as fast as he could go through all kinds of sharp objects and debris of the type that is sometimes found along the shoreline of fishing lakes. There was the dock, on which stood a small group of anxious elder fishermen as this apparently crazed canine bore down on them. Fortunately, I was able jump to warp speed paddling and cut him off before he arrived in their midst.
Now, back to square one. After reading Marek’s post and those he links to, I realize I omitted essential training and practice on land. In my case, “Safety Last.” Grrrrr. Why do we so often overlook the obvious in the rush to have an adventure?
Once it stops snowing, maybe we’ll give it another whirl, starting with getting in and out of my boat while it’s safely docked in the driveway at my house.
Comment // May 7th, 2007 // 10:07 am
“Kind of Related to Kayaking”
, Lake Michigan. I LOVE kayaking and read your page about great lakes in the area which is exciting but I also noticed that they’re not open to swimming. Being someone who HAS to be able to swim occasionally are there swimmable lakes near Prescott (1hr drive or less)? I got a callback about a job in Prescott and honestly having swimming lake(s) nearby is pretty important to me. Also, where’s a good place to search for apartments? I see sites for finding a home but not for renting. If you could help me out with these questions I’d really appreciate it.
I’ve got a few questions if you’re willing. I’m from Grand Rapids, MI (lived here all my life) which is about 40 minutes from in my opinion the greatest lake in the
world, and I have traveled
Thanks!
Comment // May 7th, 2007 // 10:13 am
Mary Beth,
Regarding swimming: Bad news on our lakes, which seem like puddles when compared to Lake Michigan.
I’m originally from the midwest and, you know one of the hardest things to adjust to here is the dryness, and the attendant lack of bodies of water. The only real swimming opportunities around here are at swimming pools.
Sometimes Goldwater Lake is open for swimming, but generally the others are not. Contaminated water is the main reason… I hear what you’re saying and you are very wise to ask about that.
My former husband is from Harvard Illinois and he used to crack me up…. if we were driving down a country road and he saw a pond, he would just want to jump in. He also loved swimming in Lake Geneva. Not me – I like to be in a boat but not in the water.
Now there are a few well hidden water holes that people talk about, very cold, but deep and small surface area. If splashing around in those would suffice, you might enjoy that adventure.
As to apartments hunting, I don’t know of any centralized apartment searching business here. You might find something in googling, but I think better is to consult our local newspaper (The Daily Courier) or some of the smaller weeklies (Raven Review or Read It News).
Now that I think of it, Craig’s List is now serving Prescott, so you might track something down that way.
If someone knows more than me, perhaps they will chime in.
Pingback // June 6th, 2007 // 3:41 pm
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[...] Before my recent overhaul and update to this site, I posted a few posts on kayaking on another blog I publish. Be sure to also check out: Kayaking with Dogs [...]
Comment // April 4th, 2009 // 8:15 pm
Is there a company that rents kayaks and provides a guide? We are coming to visit Prescott and would like to experience the water on a kayak. thanks.
Comment // April 6th, 2009 // 9:02 am
Hi Tom,
Yes, there is a place you can rent. You can either call Manzanita Outdoor to ask about that in advance, or you can just head to most of our lakes on weekend days and rent once you get there.
I don’t know if guidance is provided, but that’s an interesting question you should bring up with Manzanita.
I hope you’ll also visit AboutPrescottArizona.com for more information on local kayaking.
Love for you to share your experiences here after your trip. Send me pictures and or comments on the kayaking and rental and I’ll post for others’ benefit.